Magician with the ball and deserved Ballon d'Or: Dembele's brace punch Lille in the face

Paris Saint-Germain aren't used to not being first in Ligue 1. Since the 2020/2021 season, when Lyon were at the top, the Saints entered each new year as the league leaders. And yet, they went into 2026 as the second-placed team behind Lens.

To improve their situation, they needed to crack a tough nut - the fourth Ligue 1 side, Lille, but they managed to rise to the challenge and beat Les Dogues 3-0.

In the first half, they survived Olivier Giroud and Ethan Mbappe, who gave them a hard time, going into the break with a lead, thanks to Ousmane Dembele's 13th-minute opener from the only chance PSG created.

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After the break, the Parisians had the game well in control, put on a much better display, and easily sealed the deal, while Dembele proved that the Ballon d'Or went into the right hands, doubling the Saints' lead in the 64th minute with an absolutely splendid lob.

That was the point of no return for Lille, which afterwards "threw in the towel" and accepted defeat. Bradley Barcola made it 3-0 in added time, while PSG returned to the Ligue 1 summit, at least until Lens play their game of the ongoing round.

The game started with a massive chance for Lille and hinted at what the first half would look like. Only 100 seconds into the match, Les Dogues wasted two fantastic opportunities, as Olivier Giroud lobbed PSG keeper Lucas Chevalier, but hit the bar, while the custodian stopped Ethan Mbappe's point-blank effort off a rebound.

The visitors had two more attempts over Mbappe and Ngal'ayel Mukau, but the most important thing, a goal, slipped through their hands. The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker showed class in the 24th minute as well, hitting the ball with a beautiful strike, and even though it wouldn't have counted because of his earlier handball, he reminded everyone at Parc des Princes of his glorious days.

Giroud in action against PSG (©AFP)

On the other hand, the Saints occasionally took control of the game, but were generally below their usual level, allowing Lille to threaten too often, which seriously enraged their boss, Luis Enrique.

Still, the top-notch teams wouldn't be at the top if there weren't for their efficiency, and PSG demonstrated it, as they managed to convert their only chance in the opening 45 minutes, going into the break with the lead.

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The decisive moment came in the 13th minute, when the visitors lost possession in their own half. Vitinha took the ball and passed it to Ousmane Dembele, who unleashed a precise effort from outside the box, perfectly finding the rivals' bottom-right corner.

The final 15-20 minutes of the opening period were relatively peaceful and without any notable moments, which at the same time worked in PSG's favour but also worried Enrique, who urged his men to go for a second goal.

In the 57th minute, the Parisians threatened for the first time, and even scored, but the goal didn't stand due to Dembele's evident offside. Still, it was a sign that their second-half spirits were different.

The definite proof of the home team's better second-half display came seven minutes later, when the Ballon d'Or winner scored a mesmerizing, magical, splendid goal that defies description. He received the ball near Lille's box, danced through the rivals' backline, and found the net with a marvellous lob. But, to realize what the Frenchman did, you simply have to see it yourself.

From that point, an as experienced team as PSG are had an easy task of keeping the lead. At the same time, Lille were disheartened facing the inevitable defeat and thus additionally eased the home team's job.

Desire Doue and Nuno Mendes threatened a few times during the final quarter of an hour, until finally the sub Bradley Barcola didn't make it 3-0 in added time, seizing a chance following Lille's defence's blunder.

This triumph moved PSG back to the Ligue 1 top, though their stay there could be only temporary, as Lens' eventual win over Auxerre (19.00) could shift the Saints to the second spot again.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 18

Friday

Monaco - Lorient 1-3 (0-0)

/Fati 76 - Dieng 68, Makengo 85, Karim 87/

PSG - Lille 3-0 (1-0)

/Dembele 13, 64, Barcola 90+3/

Saturday

19.00: (1.43) Lens (4.50) Auxerre (7.50)

19.00: (2.00) Toulouse (3.60) Nice (4.10)

23.05: (5.80) Angers (3.80) Olympique Marseille (1.62)

Sunday

17.00: (1.55) Strasbourg (4.10) Metz (6.00)

19.15: (3.10) Nantes (3.40) Paris (2.45)

19.15: (1.68) Rennes (3.70) Le Havre (5.40)

22.45: (1.65) Olympique Lyon (4.00) Brest (5.30)

***odds are subject to change***